Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Rob Davies and Joanna Partridge

Energy firms refusing to supply small UK businesses over bankruptcy fears

Green Man pub in Denham
Teresa Hodgson, of the Green Man pub in Denham, near Uxbridge, was initially told by SSE it could not give her a quote because prices were rising so fast. Photograph: Maureen McLean/Rex

Big energy firms are refusing to supply small businesses out of concern they could go bust, while some are demanding £10,000 upfront, business owners and industry experts have told the Guardian.

In the latest sign of the deepening energy crisis, business owners said they were struggling to find a supplier in the run-up to the busy October period for renewing gas and electricity contracts, leaving them facing “extortionate” bills or demands for a deposit.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.